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25 Clever Uses For Coconut Oil You Probably Don’t Know

Coconut oil is one of the latest crazes hitting the DIY crowd. It’s a very versatile oil that can be used in a myriad of ways and has a bunch of benefits. There are a ton but let’s take a look at some of the more fun ways you can use coconut oil!

1. It’s great for cooking!

If you’re tired of using vegetable oil, olive oil, or butter, you can use coconut oil as a viable substitute. It’s great for baking, stir fry, and pretty much any kind of cooking where you use butter.

2. Use it as a replacement for lotion

People have been known to rub coconut oil on their hands, fingers, and finger nails in order to get rid of dry skin, cuticles, and nails. Plus, it smells delicious. We wouldn’t recommend using it around your dog! You can mix a little bit of salt with it and use it to help relieve dry skin on your feet.

3. Use it as a replacement for shampoo

Studies have shown that coconut oil contains a bunch of fatty material that is just wonderful for your hair. Here is a great recipe to get you started.

4. Use it in soap

If it’s good for your hands as a lotion, then clearly it’ll be good everywhere else as part of your soap. Making your own soap at home takes a bit of set up but it’s not overly difficult. Just make some soap and put in some coconut oil and you’re on your way to better skin. Here’s a fun recipe to get you started.

6. It may help improve thyroid function

It’s kind of a new thing, but some recent studies have shown that consuming coconut oil may help improve your thyroid. There are a lot of dietary things that can cause thyroid issues so it’s unclear as to whether coconut oil actually helps or it’s just replacing the things that hurt but either way, it looks like a good idea to try!

7. Use it to make mayo

Like we stated earlier, you can use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil when baking or frying things but you can also use it to replace vegetable oil in other foods as a general ingredient. One great example is mayo. Here’s a good mayo recipe that uses coconut oil instead of vegetable oil.

8. Use it as sun screen

Naturally, without any modification, you can use coconut oil as a natural SPF 4 sun screen. It’s not a high SPF and some people may need more protection but if you’re in a pinch (or cheap, like me), it’s a great substitute. After all, something is better than no protection at all. It also makes a great tanning oil.

9. You can use it to treat yeast infections

Yes, this is a thing that is real. Using coconut oil to treat yeast infections is something that real people do. There are a bunch of reasons that deal with various chemicals in coconut oil and how they help control yeast. Check it out!

10. Use it to replace your chap stick!

It’s good on every other part of your body so you pretty much had to assume that it’d be good for your lips too. Simply rub some coconut oil on those chapped lips to help heal and moisturize.

11. Coconut oil bug-repellent bars!

Conventional bug sprays are chock full of chemicals that drive bugs away. Chances are they’re probably bad for you too. Here is a recipe for a lotion bar that also keeps bugs away using natural ingredients. One of the ones that help moisturize is, you guessed it, coconut oil.

12. Use it as a natural lube

As we discussed earlier, coconut oil is actually good for the vagina. Since it is also an oil, that makes it a naturally good lubrication. Combine those two facts and you have a natural, effective lube for those intimate moments that is actually good for both you and your partner.

13. It provides a bunch of healing properties

Coconut oil apparently helps heal a lot of injuries. According to soruces, coconut oil can help relieve sun burns, bug bites, minor cuts and abrasions, and even help reduce acne. That’s probably why so many people prefer it in their lotions, soaps, hair care products, and as a sun screen.

14. Use it to control hair frizz

Like most oils, coconut oil can be coated on surfaces to prevent moisture from getting to it. Since that is essentially the cause of all frizzy hair, that makes it a great way to control frizz. Simply apply sparingly and it’ll work. Just don’t use too much or your hair will look greasy.

15. Use it to create your own DIY exfoliating body scrub

This is a really easy recipe to remember. Mix coconut oil, a little bit of salt, and some essential oils together. Then grab your favorite loofah and buff your skin to soft perfection. It’s cheaper than most body scrubs and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals.

16. Use it as a makeup remover

Multiple sources site coconut oil as a great way to remove makeup. Apply it to your face, wait a few minutes, then wipe it off with a warm cloth. It’ll work for almost every type of makeup. Since it’s also good for your skin, you’re getting cleaner skin and healthier skin.

17. Make your own shaving cream

You can do this two different ways. You can use just regular coconut oil on your body to get a closer shave or you can actually add some other stuff to it and make your own shaving cream. If you need a recipe to help you get started, we have a good one right here

18. Create your own massage oils

The natural lubrication of all oil makes them great for massages and if you add in the other benefits we’ve discussed already, it’s only natural to come to the conclusion that coconut oil would make a great massage oil. Just add some essential oils and maybe some fragrance if you so choose. Mix it together, warm it up a bit and you’re ready to start massaging!

19. Make your own toothpaste

Toothpaste can be full of questionable chemicals depending on what kind you buy. You can use coconut oil and baking soda (mixed together until it’s a paste) to create your own toothpaste if you want to. It may not be the most whitening toothpaste ever but it gets the job done for a fraction of the cost and without any of the potentially harmful chemicals.

20. Use it to shine leather

Over time your leather belts, wallets, jackets, pants, etc may become a bit worn. You can use coconut oil to polish up those old leather cloths and accessories and make them shine once more!

21. Use it to condition wooden household items

Whether it’s your wooden salad spoons or your best wooden rocking chair, you can use coconut oil to condition your wood stuff. Just like any other conditioning method, you apply liberally and let the oil soak into the wood. This will help prevent rot, wear and tear, and coconut oil can also be used to clean the wood after treatment.

22. It can start a campfire

Just soak some kindling or some cotton balls in coconut oil and watch it light right up. Most oils are flammable (that’s why there is a such a thing as grease fires) and that includes coconut oil. If you’re out camping and you have some coconut oil on you, this works as good as lighter fluid in some cases and is safer for the environment.

23. Use them to season your cast iron

As many people know, cast iron doesn’t have a non stick surface so before cooking you have to coat them in something so that your food doesn’t stick. A lot of people use lard or shortening but those can be high in bad fats. Coconut oil is a cheap, healthier alternative.

24. Use it as a lube for non-sexual things

Things like bike chains, can openers, door hinges, and other smaller things like that can always benefit from a little lubrication and coconut oil is a good, cheap oil to try. I’ve even heard of people using vegetable oil in computer fans to prevent them from squeaking or making noise. Just like everywhere else, vegetable oil can be replaced by coconut oil and it doesn’t have any harsh chemicals like WD-40.